February 2024
Background to the project
Belisa Rodrigues, a South African-born artist with Madeiran heritage, was invited to participate in the project Art of the Open Doors in 2012. She created a door that represented “African connections to Madeira” and encouraged the public to participate by writing their name on the door. Over a period of 11 years, 100s of people participated. The door was unfortunately painted over sometime in 2023.
2012 – 2023. #10 Rua Santa. Title: “Roots/Raizes: Escreve o Seu Nome Aqui se Tiveres origens em Africa e na Madeira” by Belisa Caboz Rodrigues
Rodrigues, has now been granted a new door and a new opportunity to share her work with the public. Door #9 at Rua Santa Maria (opposite the old door), in agreement with the owner, a new painting has been launched!
In January, 2024, 12 years later, the theme of the door #9 displays the iconic figure of Blessed Virgin Mary standing on a serpent upon the world. A fitting symbol, as this door is situated in the road of the same name – Rua Santa Maria. Above the image it states in writing: “Holy Mary, Pray for Us”
2024, #9 Rua Santa. Title: Maria “Santa Maria: Rogai por Nos” by Belisa Caboz Rodrigues
The artist explains that this iconic door captures the sentiment of our times, where the world is experiencing tremendous pain and conflict. And that we need to look toward peace and justice to prevail over evil – and to pray for one another while seeking answers to world peace.
Rodrigues stated that the project’s success could not have been achieved without the help of those around her. She states:
Thank you must go to the owner of door #9 for her faith and permission to paint her door, to Jose Zyberchema, the original visionary behind the door art project. Thanks also goes to Artium for keeping the art materials safe in their shop, as well as thanks to Ja Fui Jacquet for their donation of wine and canapes for the mini exhibition opening of the door to celebrate its completion at Porta #9 Rua Santa Maria. Lastly, a huge thank you to my mother and family for their unwavering support throughout.”
The door #9 was officially “open” to the public on Friday, 26th January at 6pm and an open invitation was included in the local newspaper “Diario Noticias” [ See below in Portuguese]:
About the artist:
Belisa Rodrigues is a South African with Madeiran heritage. She holds an MBA and a Fine Arts Degree from the University of Cape Town. She currently runs her own business called Belle and Company Pty Ltd (https://belleandco.co.za), that aims to support and train artists across Africa on business skills, deepening their impact and their leadership development.
To learn more about the ‘Project of the Open Doors’, please visit the website: https://www.arteportasabertas.com